Kathmandu, 1 Feb: President Ramchandra Paudel is scheduled to make an official visit to Japan starting Sunday through Magh 21. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the visit is taking place at the invitation of the Government of Japan on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan, with President Paudel leading a Nepali delegation.
According to Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, President Paudel will depart for Japan on Sunday night at 11:30 PM on Nepal Airlines flight number 433. After completing the visit, he is scheduled to return to Nepal on Magh 21 at 4:30 PM on Nepal Airlines flight number 434.
During the visit, on Magh 19, President Paudel will attend a special reception ceremony organized by the Government of Japan to mark the 70th anniversary of Nepal–Japan diplomatic relations.
On Magh 20, President Paudel is scheduled to pay a state courtesy call on Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Foreign Secretary Rai said. On the same day, President Paudel will also hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Ms. Sanae Takaichi. In addition, Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii will pay a courtesy call on President Paudel.
As part of the visit, President Paudel will also participate in a meeting with the Japanese business community and attend a reception hosted by the Embassy of Nepal in Japan in his honor. President Paudel will be accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Sabita Paudel, along with high-level government officials.
Nepal–Japan Relations
Nepal–Japan relations date back to the late 18th century. The relationship became formal with the establishment of diplomatic ties on September 1, 1956, and has since been characterized by friendship, goodwill, and cooperation. Following the establishment of diplomatic relations, Nepal opened its embassy in Tokyo in 1965, while Japan established its embassy in Kathmandu in 1967.
Nepal also maintains an Honorary Consulate General in Osaka, Japan.
Historical Ties
Japanese Buddhist monk Rev. Ekai Kawaguchi first visited Nepal in 1899 via Tibet in search of sacred Buddhist scriptures. Historians note that he introduced Nepal to Japan and highlighted the significance of Lumbini to the Japanese people through his writings and publications.
During the Rana regime, in 1902, eight Nepali students traveled to Japan for higher education, marking an early phase of Nepali engagement with Japanese culture and technology.
Exchange of Visits
High-level exchanges between Nepal and Japan have contributed significantly to strengthening bilateral relations. In recent years, visits by senior officials from both countries have continued.
At the invitation of then Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, former Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali paid an official visit to Japan starting November 1, 2018. Similarly, former Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal visited Japan from October 8 to 12, 2018, to participate in the 57th session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization.
Former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari visited Japan from October 20 to 22, 2019, to attend the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo.
Likewise, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono visited Nepal from January 9 to 10, 2019. At the invitation of then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Japanese Foreign Minister Ms. Yoko Kamikawa paid an official visit to Nepal on May 5, 2024.
Development Cooperation
Japan has been contributing to Nepal’s socio-economic development since 1954. Japan has provided assistance to Nepal in the form of bilateral grants, loans, multilateral aid, and technical cooperation, as well as concessional loans for infrastructure development.
Key sectors of Japanese assistance include human resource development, health, agriculture, infrastructure, environmental protection, and culture. Japan has prioritized improvements in basic infrastructure such as electricity generation, roads, bridges, drinking water facilities, and telecommunications. The construction of the Sindhuli Road is one of the major projects under Japanese development cooperation.
Japan has also provided loan assistance for projects such as the Kulekhani I and II Hydropower Stations, Kali Gandaki ‘A’ Hydropower Project, Udayapur Cement Industry, and the Melamchi Drinking Water Project.
Currently ongoing projects under concessional loan schemes include the Nagdhunga Tunnel Road, Water Supply Improvement Project, and Road Intersection Improvement Projects.
Since joining the Colombo Plan in 1954, the Japanese government has been providing technical training opportunities to Nepali students. Under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Volunteer Program, Japan has also been dispatching Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Volunteers to Nepal. This program began in 1970.
